The Real Reason Perseverance Wins in Seasons of Uncertainty

LIVE Podcast! Courtney Pray Duke Shares How To Find Hope When Your Whole Life Gets Shattered

Welcome to a special LIVE episode of the Don’t Let The Dream Die Podcast with Courtney Pray Duke! Recorded Live at the Scholar & Scribe bookstore in Trilith, GA.  When the unthinkable happens, can your dream survive? Discover how hope, raw faith, and gritty perseverance can carve a path forward—even when everything falls apart. After losing her husband in a sudden accident, Courtney Pray Duke found herself in a world where her dreams felt shattered. In this episode, she shares the honest realities of walking through loss, wrestling with faith, and rebuilding a life—one small, stubborn step at a time. Aaron Coe and Courtney Pray Duke unpack what it means to trust, dream again, and let God restore what felt lost forever. This is a story about grief, healing, and learning to get up—over and over—no matter your age or your circumstances. Key Takeaways * Discover how “God, I trust you” can become a lifeline, not just a phrase * Learn why surviving deep loss is less about quick fixes—and more about faithful steps that someday add up to a new story * How to ask God for new dreams when the old ones have died * Why the secret isn’t a different set of circumstances but cultivating “Christ in me” * Tactics for facing mundane, invisible battles—and why simply getting up can be a radical act of hope * The real process of moving from devastation to restoration, one honest prayer at a time Subscribe for more real stories of perseverance. Like, comment, and share your own journey below! #DontLetTheDreamDie #Perseverance #Faith #HopeAfterLoss #Grief #DreamAgain #Restoration #Podcast Timestamps 00:00 First live podcast—introducing Courtney Pray Duke 02:10 The great Santa Claus wrapping debate 03:27 Life before loss—building a dream together 05:18 Remembering Andrew—faith, family, and calling 06:31 The accident: a day everything changed 08:14 “The pen felt crushed”—grieving the end of a dream 09:54 Wrestling with faith amid devastation 12:25 Immeasurably more: holding onto hope in the dark 13:53 The “machete” days—choosing to put one foot forward 15:45 Fighting through with faith: the daily battle 17:25 A catalyst for healing—God bringing dry bones to life 20:04 What trusting God actually looks like in hard moments 22:01 Lessons from suffering: forging new strength and dreams 24:47 Relearning hope—navigating guilt and restoration 27:14 The secret isn’t circumstances, it’s Christ in you 30:34 Living with eternity in mind—why our one life matters 32:03 Receiving a new dream: birthing the book 34:49 The meaning behind “And She Got Up” 37:42 For those who feel their dream is buried—where to begin 39:38 Final encouragement—why the dream isn’t over

Letting Go of the Wrong Dream To Find Your True Calling | Davis Powell

What holds you back from exchanging a well-planned path for a calling that truly fits? Discover what it’s like to release old dreams—and find the faith (and courage) to embrace what’s next. When Davis Powell stepped off the path to becoming a doctor and into the unknown, he didn’t just change careers—he changed his life. In this episode, Davis Powell, President & CEO of Seed Company, opens up about leaving a carefully mapped plan to follow a deeper sense of purpose, wrestling with comfort, community, and the weight of expectation. He shares how embracing guidance, letting go of people-pleasing, and tuning in to God’s peace led him to lead one of the world’s most ambitious Bible translation movements. The conversation gets real about calling, taking faithful risks, and redefining what true success looks like—even when it means letting a lifelong dream die, so something new can grow Key Takeaways * Why sometimes sticking to “the plan” is the comfort zone you need to escape * How to discern if your dream is truly yours—or just old expectations * The pivotal role of wise advisors who ask hard questions and speak truth * What it means to pursue hard things with peace, not just grit * The keys to leading boldly through ambiguity, especially when the stakes are high * Lessons from translating the Bible into thousands of languages—and why collaboration beats competition — Subscribe for more inspiring episodes. Like what you hear? Give it a thumbs up. Comment and share your own journey of risk, faith, or chasing a new dream. #calling #leadership #dreamchasing #Bibletranslation #faith #purpose #nonprofit #perseverance Timestamps 00:00 — Are you following a plan or a calling? 01:17 — Davis Powell’s background and unexpected journey 02:17 — Early dreams, clarity through discomfort 04:03 — The shift from medical school to ministry 05:48 — Letting a dream die for something better 07:33 — On comfort, people-pleasing, and tough choices 09:24 — The power of wise voices and real mentorship 10:58 — Opening up to true community 12:16 — Is “hard” the only sign you’re on the right path? 13:05 — Recognizing grace and peace in challenges 14:26 — When “hard” things feel easy—finding your fit 15:14 — Connecting personal calling with Seed Company’s mission 17:03 — Why God’s Word for every language matters 18:45 — Inside Seed Company’s ambitious vision (and the “ASAP” goal) 19:24 — Milestones, challenges, and technology’s role 21:17 — The promise and pitfalls of AI in Bible translation 23:36 — Crucible questions: what keeps leaders up at night 24:45 — Bridging local capacity and taking real risks 26:41 — Translation vs. engagement—what success really means 28:46 — The gift and challenge of collaboration with Illuminations 31:18 — Why abundance beats scarcity—organizational (and spiritual) lessons 34:23 — Rapid-fire: Clemson Tigers, abundance, and not letting the dream die 35:25 — Final reflections and next steps for listeners

How Leaders Overcome Doubt and Find Their True Calling | Kristin Shuler

When your calling gets hard—or even questioned—do you keep going? Explore the high cost and deep purpose of leading with conviction when the dream gets tested. Stepping into global leadership, Kristin Shuler shares the unexpected challenges, moments of self-doubt, and the spiritual resilience needed to serve faithfully. From navigating culture shock and spiritual attacks to orchestrating generational leadership transitions, this conversation unpacks what it takes to stay devoted to a dream that’s bigger than yourself. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how massive visions come to life, why collaboration gets messy (and matters), and how to anchor yourself when obstacles threaten to derail you. Key Takeaways * Discover how Kristin Shuler found her calling at 12—and what it feels like when your dream faces real-life confrontation and doubt. * Concrete family strategies for balancing high-impact leadership, motherhood, and Great Commission priorities. * How humble, intentional leadership transitions prevent vacuums and set organizations up for lasting impact. * The nitty-gritty of collaborating and letting go of “our way” for a Kingdom vision—why it’s so hard but so necessary. * Practical encouragement for any leader in a tough season: return to your why, clarify your priorities, and step out in obedience even when it’s costly. Subscribe for more honest stories from builders, leaders, and dreamers. Like this episode? Drop a comment below—what helps you keep going when your dream is tested? #Leadership #Dreams #Faith #Mission #WomenInLeadership #Unity #Podcast #DontLetTheDreamDie Timestamps 00:00 — Hearing God’s call and the cost of obedience 00:50 — Welcome and intro to Kristin Shuler 01:32 — The Santa gifts debate: wrapped or unwrapped? 03:01 — [Speaker B] frames the scale of Kristin's leadership and vision 04:06 — Early influences: childhood, church, and the spark of a missions call 05:46 — Mission heroes and learning radical obedience 07:41 — How Kristin found her place at East West 09:37 — When the dream gets tested: doubt and cultural confrontation 12:25 — Balancing executive leadership, motherhood, and priorities 15:27 — The cost and challenge of stepping into President role 17:23 — Navigating gender in international leadership 19:16 — Generational leadership transitions: intentionality and humility 24:11 — What problem is East West really tackling? 26:06 — Equipping multipliers & the power of collaboration 28:24 — Hard lessons in Kingdom-minded partnership 31:08 — Methodology friction: why simple alignment isn’t so simple 34:06 — The deeper value and cost of unity 36:04 — Kristin’s advice for leaders about not letting the dream die 37:11 — Wrap-up and closing thanks

The Real Reason Perseverance Wins in Seasons of Uncertainty

What happens when your calling gets tested? Explore how faith, grit, and clarity can rebuild what feels lost. When NewSpring Church faced a turning point, Brad Cooper had a decision: stay and persevere, or walk away. In this honest conversation with Aaron Coe, Brad Cooper shares his journey through upheaval—the hard questions, the debt, and the daily choices not to give up. This episode isn’t just for pastors—it’s for anyone wondering whether to keep fighting for the dream that matters. Hear how conviction, unity, and practical faith can transform crisis into a foundation for fresh vision. Key Takeaways: * Why staying when it’s hard can shape your soul and your impact—no matter how uncertain tomorrow feels * The role of “just making the next right decision”—instead of dramatic overcorrection—during crisis and change * How NewSpring tackled huge church debt by moving “at the speed of cash flow” * What “always reforming” means for building something solid and future-proof * The power of unity: why influence without notoriety and locking arms beyond denominations unleashes real impact * Why seeing your dream to the finish line takes daily faithfulness, not just grand passion Subscribe for more honest conversations on grit, vision, and keeping your dream alive. Like this episode? Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway. Hit Like and join the conversation. #DontLetTheDreamDie #Leadership #Faith #Resilience #Teamwork #Perseverance #ChurchLeadership #Vision Timestamps 00:00 Super serious question: Are Santa’s gifts wrapped or unwrapped? 01:16 Clemson connections and family traditions 02:06 Brad Cooper’s childhood, faith, and family business roots 04:51 How parental influence shaped Brad Cooper’s approach to calling 06:12 From athlete to pastor: pivotal moments that led to ministry 08:15 The leadership transition at NewSpring: shock, pain, and first decisions 10:58 Why resolve to stay can change everything 12:14 Making the decision to persevere when quitting seems easier 13:14 Redefining passion as the pain you’ll endure to see it through 15:21 “Just keep doing the next right thing”—navigating uncertainty together 16:01 Learning to reform and anchor in Scripture, not just trends 18:01 The church’s financial reckoning and moving at the speed of cash flow 21:09 Stepping from survival to stability and dreaming again 23:20 Imagining the church’s future: everyday relationships and missional living 26:55 Impact outside Sunday: vision for the kingdom in every sector 29:33 Navigating polarization, diversity, and unity in a megachurch context 31:18 Influence without notoriety—the model of humble impact 33:08 Why post-denominational collaboration is essential for real change 35:10 Future orientation: picking a fixed point for purpose 36:18 The new opportunities for churches outside denominational walls 38:07 Walls, partnerships, and why the work is too big for narrow boundaries 39:19 What if I hadn’t stayed? The cost of giving up, and honoring daily faithfulness 41:48 Fourth-quarter finishers and what it means to end well 42:35 Final encouragement: legacy, perseverance, and the fruit that comes from staying in the game 43:28 How you don’t let the dream die: God gets the glory, you get the joy, the world gets the good 43:41 Closing remarks and episode wrap

From NFL Kicker to Uniting Bible Translators Worldwide

When the dream is bigger than you, how do you keep going—especially when the cost gets personal? Journey through the story of Illuminations, where unity, sacrifice, and grace reshape a global mission. What does it take to unite dozens of organizations, overcome deep fragmentation, and shave a century off a world-changing timeline? In this episode, Aaron Coe sits down with former NFL kicker Todd Peterson, who helped lead a radical collaborative movement to translate the Bible into every language. They explore the hard-won battles behind partnership, the uncomfortable truth about finances in mission, and the real price paid—spiritually and relationally—by leaders who chose to work together. More than just a win for Bible translation, their conversation reveals how humility, generosity, and perseverance can spark acceleration where division once stalled progress. Key Takeaways: - How collaborative impact in Bible translation turned competing organizations into partners—and sped up global access by decades - Why tackling the financial side of mission work is essential for real progress—and how generosity multiplies results - The personal and spiritual costs paid by leaders who pursue unity, including the unseen battles and setbacks - Why robust cooperation isn’t just a logistical win, but a spiritual one: God commands blessing where there’s unity - Practical wisdom for anyone dreaming of collective efforts, from neighborhood projects to global movements Subscribe for more honest conversations and practical insights. Like if you found this helpful. Comment: What’s your biggest lesson about collaboration or generosity? #BibleTranslation #Leadership #Collaboration #Mission #Illuminations #Generosity #Faith #DontLetTheDreamDie Timestamps 00:00 My story is a story of grace: Todd Peterson's pivotal college football moment 00:17 “Not on our watch”—spiritual urgency and early resistance 01:12 Introducing Todd Peterson: NFL years and mission-driven life 01:59 Unmerited favor, stewardship, and entering Bible translation 02:59 How passion for youth, sports, and leadership led to a focus on God’s word 03:40 Bible translation’s timeline and the first collaboration spark 04:33 Birth of Illuminations: solving fragmentation, embracing unity 06:20 Painting the landscape: agencies, Bible societies, and the need for partnership 07:33 Early choke points—data, copyright, and sausage making 08:44 The AI challenge: agencies unite instead of competing 09:56 Breaking down giver/receiver dynamics and spiritual arrogance 11:14 Culture shift: unity, vision, and why “not on our watch” matters 12:07 The YouVersion story—why digital distribution required unified effort 12:54 Illuminations as precursor: unity catalyzes solutions 13:38 Repository, access, and self-perpetuating good behavior 15:12 Isaiah 60:3—the biblical heart behind Illuminations 15:34 Solving the distribution issue and unlocking global reach 16:26 Old habits, new tricks: value-driven change accelerates engagement 18:19 What’s next: hurdles and opportunities for collaborative impact 18:51 Collective impact essentials and fundraising breakthroughs 20:21 Brave CEOs, shared donors, and “all boats rise” 22:24 Empirical results: generosity transforms giving 23:19 Why finances are the catalytic third leg of sustainable impact 25:07 The gospel’s model for generosity—and breaking scarcity mindset 27:40 Ministry leaders, business perspective, and trusting God for provision 29:27 Positive reinforcement and winning behavior 29:42 Honoring the personal cost of collaboration 30:54 How far we’ve come: updated timeline and goal for 2033 32:16 What "eradicate Bible poverty" really means—impact metrics 33:28 Aspirational targets, acceleration, and the AI advantage 34:26 Quality, speed, and how Illuminations avoids “sloppy” translation 35:01 Why this level of cooperation is unprecedented in missions history 36:17 The real price: personal, spiritual, and emotional costs paid 37:07 “Is it worth it?”—stories from CEOs and resource partners 39:12 Stakes are high: spiritual warfare and obstacles 39:54 Family adversity, enemy resistance, and staying the course 41:40 Encouragement for those dreaming of working together 42:22 Wisdom for aspiring collaborators: unity, humility, perseverance 45:08 “Team together”—final reflections on why partnership wins 45:23 Football predictions and the lighter side of perseverance 47:02 Celebrating friendship, faithfulness, and the long journey